Idenst. Please you, my good lord, One says he is no stranger. Werner (aloud and hastily). W ́ho says that? [They look at him with surprise. Idenst. Why, no one spoke of you, or to you!-but Here's one his Excellency may be pleased His noble memory. Stralenh. I apprehend This is one of the strangers to whose aid I owe my rescue. Is not that the other? [Pointing to Werner. My state, when I was succour'd, must excuse My uncertainty to whom I owe so much. Idenst. He!-no, my Lord! he rather wants for rescue Than can afford it. 'Tis a poor sick man, Travel-tired, and lately risen from a bed From whence he never dream'd to rise. Stralenh. Methought That there were two.. Gabor. There were, in company; But, in the service render'd to your lordship, I needs must say but one, and he is absent. The chief part of whatever aid was render'd, Was his: it was his fortune to be first. My will was not inferior, but his strength And youth outstripp'd me; therefore do not waste Your thanks on me. I was but a glad second Unto a nobler principal. Stralenh. Where is he? Would pass him by unknown. I must be wary; An error would spoil all. Idenst. Your Lordship seems Pensive. Will it not please you to pass on? Stralenh. "Tis past fatigue which gives my weigh'd-down spirit An outward show of thought. I will to rest. Idenst. The Prince's chamber is prepared, with all The very furniture the Prince used when Last here, in its full splendour. (Aside). Somewhat tatter'd, And devilish damp, but fine enough by torchlight; And that's enough for your right noble blood Of twenty quarterings upon a hatchment; So let their bearer sleep 'neath something like one Now, as he one day will for ever lie. Stralenh (rising, and turning to Gabor) Good night, good people! Sir, I trust to His Lordship, or his Excellency? Pray, An Attendant. My Lord, he tarried in He hath not been accustom'd to admission the cottage, where Your Excellency rested for an hour, And said he would be here to-morrow. To such a presence. Stralenh. (to Idenst.) Peace, intendant! Idenst. Oh! I am dumb. Stralenh. (to Werner) Have you been long here? Werner. Long? Stralenh. I sought An answer, not an echo. Werner. You may seek Both from the walls. I am not used to answer Those whom I know not. Stralenh. Indeed! ne'er the less You might reply with courtesy, to what Is ask'd in kindness. Werner. When I know it such, I will requite- that is, reply--in unison. But one way that the rich and poor must tread Together. You diverged from that dread path Some hours ago, and I some days; henceforth Our roads must lie asunder,though they tend | And I'm detected,—on the very eve All to one home. Werner. Many have such:none? Stralenh. None which can Interest a mere stranger. Werner. Then forgive Have you The same unknown and humble stranger, if I will not balk your humour, though untoward: I only meant you service-but, good night! Intendant, show the way! (to Gabor) Sir, you will with me? [Exeunt Stralenheim and Attendants, Idenstein and Gabor. Werner (solus). 'Tis he! I am taken in the toils. Before I quitted Hamburgh,Giulio,his late steward, I came upon the frontier; the free city Nor could aught, save the eye of apprehension, Have recognised him, after twenty years, To sound and to secure me. Without means! Sick, poor-begirt too with the flooding rivers, Impassable even to the wealthy, with Of honours, rights, and my inheritance, When a few drops of gold might save me still In favouring an escape. Enter IDENSTEIN and FRITZ in conversation, Idenst. I tell you, 'tis impossible. Be tried, however; and if one express Idenst. I will do what I can. To spare no trouble; you will be repaid Idenst. The Baron is retired to rest? Fritz. He hath thrown himself into an easy chair Beside the fire, and slumbers; and has order'd He may not be disturb'd until eleven, An hour is past I'll do my best to serve him. they Think all things made for them. Now here must 1 Rouse up some half a dozen shivering vassals From their scant pallets, and, at peril of Their lives, despatch them o'er the river towards Frankfort. Methinks the Baron's own experience Some hours ago might teach him fellowfeeling: But no, "it must," and there's an end. How now? Are you there, Mynheer Werner? Idenst. Yes-he's dozing, And seems to like that none should sleep besides. Here is a packet for the commandant Werner. "To Frankfort!" doubt No He writes for a detachment to convey me Into some secret fortress.-Sooner than This [Werner looks around, and snatches up a knife lying on a table in a recess. Now I am master of myself at least. Hark,-footsteps! How do I know that Stralenheim Will wait for even the show of that authority In gold, in numbers, 1ank, authority; I'll to the secret passage, which communi cates With the No! all is silent-'twas my fancy! Still as the breathless interval between The flash and thunder:-I must hush my soul Amidst its perils. Yet I will retire, To see if still be unexplored the passage I wot of: it will serve me as a den Of secrecy for some hours, at the worst. [Werner draws a pannel and exit, closing it after him. Enter GABOR and JOSEPHINE, Gabor. Where is your husband? Josephine. Here, I thought: I left him Not long since in his chamber. But these rooms Have many outlets, and he may be gone To accompany the intendant. Gabor. Baron Stralenheim Put many questions to the intendant on The subject of your lord, and, to be plain, I have my doubts if he means well. Josephine. Alas! What can there be in common with the proud And wealthy Baron and the unknown Werner? Gabor. That you know best. Josephine. Or, if it were so, how Come you to stir yourself in his behalf, Rather than that of him whose life you saved? Gabor. I help'd to save him, as in peril; but I did not pledge myself to serve him in Oppression. I know well these nobles, and Their thousand modes of trampling on the poor. I have proved them; and my spirit boils up when I find them practising against the weak :This is my only motive. Josephine. It would be Not easy to persuade my consort of Gabor. Is he so suspicious? Be better. Third Peasant. I have neither, and will venture. Idenst. That's right. A gallant carle, and fit to be A soldier. I'll promote you to the ranks In the Prince's body-guard-if you succeed; And you shall have besides in sparkling coin Two thalers. Third Peasant. No more? Idenst. Out upon your avarice! Can that low vice alloy so much ambition? I tell thee, fellow, that two thalers in Small change will subdivide into a treasure. Do not five hundred thousand heroes daily Risk lives and souls for the tithe of one thaler? When had you half the sum? Third Peasant. Never-but ne'er Idenst. Have you forgot Idenst. Sirrah! in the Prince's And if a single dog's ear of this packet Like Ziska's skin, to beat alarm to all [Exit, driving them out. Josephine (coming forward). I fain would shun these scenes, too oft repeated, Of feudal tyranny o'er petty victims; I cannot aid, and will not witness such. Even here, in this remote, unnamed, dull spot, The dimmest in the district's map, exist In servitude, o'er something still more servile; And vice in misery affecting still Made poverty more cheerful, where each herb The heart of man; and the ne'er unfelt sun (But rarely clouded, and, when clouded, leaving His warmth behind in memory of his beams) Makes the worn mantle, and the thin robe, less Oppressive than an emperor's jewell'd purple. But, here! the despots of the north appear To imitate the ice-wind of their clime, Searching the shivering vassal through his rags, To wring his soul-as the bleak elements His form. And 'tis to be amongst these sovereigns My husband pants! and such his pride of birth That twenty years of usage, such as no May thy long-tried and now rewarded spirit Look down on us and our so long desired Ulric! I love my son, as thou didst me! What's that? Thou, Werner! can it be? and thus. Enter WERNER hastily, with the knife in his hand, by the secret pannel, which he closes hurriedly after him. Werner (not at first recognising her). Discovered! then I'll stab - (recognising her) Ah! Josephine, Why art thou not at rest? Josephine. What rest? My God! What doth this mean? Werner (showing a rouleau). gold-gold, Josephine, Josephine. I dare not think thee guilty of dishonour. Werner. Dishonour! 'Tis the last night, I trust, that we need pass here. Josephine. And not the worst, I hope. Werner. Hope! I make sure. But let us to our chamber. Josephine. Yet one questionWhat hast thou done? Werner (fiercely). Left one thing undone, which Had made all well: let me not think of it! Away! Josephine. Alas, that I should doubt of thee! [Exeunt. Here's Or seen it. Will rescue us from this detested dungeon. Josephine. But whence comest thou? Werner. Ask not! but let us think where we shall go This this will make us way-(showing the gold) I'll fit them now. When this burglarious, larcenous felony The stranger Idenst. The Hungarian? Fritz. He who help'd To fish the Baron from the Oder. Idenst. Not All gipsies, and ill-clothed and sallow people. Prisoners we'll have at least, if not the And for the Baron's gold--if 'tis not found, Unlikely. But, hold-might it not have been For your Lord's losses! We scorn it as we do board-wages: then Also the cabinet, if portable. Idenst. There is some sense in that- 'Twas none of our corps; but some petty, Picker and stealer, without art or genius. Idenst. And my principles, I hope. What's to be done? Idenst. Nothing-but there's a good deal to be said. We'll offer a reward; move heaven and earth, And the police (though there's none nearer Frankfort); post notices in manuscript Fritz. He hath found a better. Fritz. In a most immense inheritance. The late Count Siegendorf, his distant kinsman, Is dead near Prague, in his castle, and my Is on his way to take possession. Idenst. Was there no heir? Fritz. Oh, yes; but he has disappear'd Long from the world's eye, and perhaps the world. A prodigal son, beneath his father's ban Idenst. He's fortunate. Fritz. 'Tis true, there is a grandson, Whom the late Count reclaim'd from his son's hands, And educated as his heir; but then Idenst. How so? - A left-hand, love, imprudent sort of marriage, be brought To see the parents, though he took the son. Puzzle your Baron to unravel. Fritz. Why, For mettle, he has quite enough; they say, Idenst. The devil he did! It must have been at his suggestion, at Idenst. Was there no cause assign'd? Fritz. Plenty, no doubt, And none perhaps the true one. Some averr'd |